Recent misfortunes

What do you call a girl who's laptop has broken and didn't back up her documents onto an external hard drive? 

Yes, that's right - me! 

Seriously, I can't believe I've done it. My recent mishap also means that I have had to delay getting my next short story out to you because like everything else, it's saved onto my laptop! Don't worry, I'm going to get it fixed asap, but am moving house this weekend so have had to put everything on hold recently. I will get it fixed though, and as soon as I have I will be back on here to share it with you all. I promise!

In the meantime, if you know how to fix a laptop, please let me know....

Chin Chin!

Today is #NationalDrinkWineDay so it seems only fitting that 1) I write a blog for you all and 2) I drink a large glass of Rose at the same time!

Can you believe it, someone has actually come up with a day dedicated to drinking wine? I've always been of the opinion that any day should be wine day, or in my case, Vodka, but who am I to be fussy? It's Thursday night, which means it's almost Friday, which in turn means it's practically the weekend! Its 8.39pm, PJ's are on and I am on the verge of curling up on the sofa; therefore it's only only fitting that I open a bottle of wine and honour such a day as this!

So here I am enjoying a (very) large glass of Zinfandel, watching re-runs of The Big Bang Theory whilst I wait for The Wedding Planner to start on 5Star....a channel I didn't even know I had! What I do know, however, is 5Star were actually a brother/sister band out in the 80's who had hits such as Rain or Shine and Silk and Steel (Que song lyrics now running around in my head!) I even remember the dance moves...but I'll save that for when I'm on my second glass and nobody is around! And they say wine makes you forget things! 

I couldn't be anymore in my element right now; it's like this day was made for me, and I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking this. So to everyone out there tonight who, like me, are enjoying a glass of their favourite vino, or those who may be wining a dining in a nice restaurant, or maybe sharing a bottle in their local pub, I and raising my glass to you all and have only one thing to say....Cheers!

All I want....

I've been feeling a mixed bag of emotions today; not sure whether it's because I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself given it's another single Valentine's Day for me, or whether it's just because I'm still over tired from the ridiculous amount of sleep I didn't get last week. 

Either way, I've spent the last hour or so chilling out listening to some music (choices of which are probably contributing to how I am feeling) and thought I'd share some of them with you. 

Enjoy!

Kodaline "All I want"

Shed Seven "High Hopes"

Christina Perry "A Thousand Years"

Pete Murray "King Tide"

Don't worry, I'll be back to my usual chirpy self next time - am off to watch the BAFTA's now and salivate over some good looking men!

Enjoy the rest of your evening lovelies and Happy Valentines Day! <3

Mind Tricks

My head is fuzzy. It's the kind of fuzzy you get when you're coming down with a cold and your body is too weak to respond to anything. It doesn't help that I actually am coming down with a cold and dosed up on decongestant tablets (which probably does explain why my head is fuzzy) but on Wednesday night I was lying in bed and all I could hear is that noise the TV makes when you're trying to tune in the channels and all you can see on the screen is snow.

I know something's not right, but can I think of what's bothering me? Of course I can't....probably because my head's too fuzzy. How ironic! I don't have anything of major significance to be worried about at the moment, in fact, I don't have anything to be worried about, but I my head feels busy, and it's exhausting. 

I'm not sleeping properly either. Last night, for example, I went to bed at 10pm; a decent time for me but I had such a disturbed nights sleep. I woke up so many times I lost count and I was dehydrated beyond belief that I went through nearly a litre of water, strangely enough, I don't even remember drinking it. The only way I know is because of the full bottle I took to bed with me and the almost empty bottle that was on my bedside table when I woke up. 

Even now as I type this my head feels busy. I have my TV off and my mobile phone on silent so nothing can disturb me, yet all I can hear is my fuzzy head. It's exhausting. I feel like I need a switch to turn it off. If only. 

I've considered a mind detox. Is there even such a thing? I bet if I Googled it I'd find loads about how I can do it. Maybe writing about it on here will help. Who knows? I need to try something though because I don't like this feeling. It's putting me on edge. Maybe some yoga or deep breathing exercises will help.

If anyone has any tips let me know. In the meantime, I think I need to take my own advice and get onto a search engine and see what I can find to help me out of this!

A madam of a month

January, you have been a tough one. I don't ever recall feeling like this during previous January's but for some reason I have felt the strain and emotion of post Christmas blues. (Sorry, that will be the last time I mention that C word for 11 months!) 

Perhaps being in my mid thirties gives me permission to turn into a grumpy old woman. I hope not! Then again, when you're battling against whatever storm the met office have named, trying to get your head around a new diet plan when you're already so in-tune with the old way, paying out for dodgy oil leaks (my car, not me) and unnecessarily panicking over direct debits that have already come out, it makes for a stressful few weeks. 

Good job I opted out of Dry January! Not that I don't think it's a good idea, mind you, but when January is depressing enough on its own, not having a vodka or two does make it even more dull! Saying that, the hangover I suffered today after the bottle I unexpectedly went through last night with my sister has made me question whether I should have committed to it this year. Nah, who am I kidding, everyone knows I love Vodka too much and I have to admit, it was a great night. We only went to meet our brother and his family at the pub for a couple of drinks; a standard Saturday for us, but after he invited us back to their house for a few more drinks, quickly followed by a dinner, it would have been rude to say no! Nine hours later, I staggered into a taxi and welcomed with one mother of a hangover today. Suffice to say, I dragged my sorry self out of bed at 5pm this afternoon and haven't done much else since. Let's just hope I don't get hit with boozy blues now!

Despite the struggle of January, I feel like I'm leaving it on a high and entering February on a positive note. Payday has arrived, the diet is back on track and Valentines Day is on the horizon so who knows, maybe the prospect of a new love interest is heading my way. I hope so. Being single sucks....but that's a whole other blog for you to look forward to!

Time to head to bed now. Sweet dreams lovelies! 

Happy New Year!

Welcome to the year 2016! Can you believe we are already into another new year? Seriously, where does the time go? To think, this time last year I was blogging with apprehension as I was starting the year without a job and unsure whether I would be able to pay my bills. It really was a worrying time, I have to admit.

Roll on 12 months later and I am starting this new year two months into a brand new, permanent job, that I am absolutely loving and learning so much from and despite the festivities now at an end, I don't have that same dread I felt last January, In fact, I am filled with anticipation and excitement that I am going to continue to get stuck into my new role even more and hopefully flourish with it too. It's a great feeling!

I also hope to bring new features to my blog this year and a lot more articles and short stories for you to get stuck into, so keep an eye out because I've got one or two things up my sleeve and I can't wait to share them with you!

For now, I wish you a very Happy New Year, I hope the celebrations into 2016 were as merry as mine and I look forward to chatting with you all more regularly over the next 12 months. 

Love Tanya xx

Under the Sea

Shopping for new beauty products is definitely something I love to do so when I was sent a couple of products from The Soap Lagoon I couldn’t help but get a little bit excited about it!

A new local business, set up this year, The Soap Lagoon specialise in ‘Hand-made soapy beauts’ including Deep Ocean Treasure, Shaving whip, Moisturising soap bars and a range of exfoliating products.

After I was sent a couple of exfoliating whips, I couldn’t wait to get sampling them! The first was a Lemon Poppy Whip. As someone who suffers with dry skin, I am always on the lookout for a gentle exfoliator that I can use regularly and if it moisturises at the same time, then even better. This product does just that! Not only is it gentle on my skin, but you also only need a small about because it ‘whips’ up into your skin, mositurising it at the same time. Perfect for me!  The smell of it is amazing, so much so, there is a disclaimer on the packaging that says not to eat it and I can see why!

The second I tried was a Berry Cream Poppy Whip. Again, this is another gentle exfoliator which smells so good and doesn’t feel like I’m hacking away at my skin. The poppy seeds make is kind to your skin and is perfect to use regularly without drying it out.

Both of these whips came in plastic pots with spoons, so much so they looked like ice creams or desserts when I opened them - I loved them straight away – and all the products are made by hand with natural ingredients so they are safe to use and good for the environment too!

I have already recommended these to my friends and family, and with Christmas just around the corner, they would make lovely gifts or stocking fillers!

To find out more about The Soap Lagoon visit them on Facebook or Twitter. They have products suitable for everyone so you never know what treasure you might find!